"A wide unity government is the only feasible option," Netanyahu says after he gets most recommendations to form government but not enough to break political impasse. Rivlin may ultimately choose Gantz to form government if Blue and White has a better shot at winning a confidence vote.
Yamina and United Torah Judaism representatives tell President Reuven Rivlin they want PM Benjamin Netanyahu to form the next government, giving him a 55-54 lead over rival Benny Gantz after Balad party reverses previous day's decision to back him. Yamina leader Ayelet Shaked: We won’t negotiate with Gantz.
Yisrael Beytenu leader refuses to recommend either candidate to President Reuven Rivlin, says: "For all I care, they could flip a coin" to determine who serves first as prime minister under a rotation deal in a broad unity government. Rivlin: It is up to the two biggest parties to join forces. This is what the people want. None of us can ignore that.
"We are ending Netanyahu’s grip on Israel," chairman of joint Arab List writes in The New York Times. Move could all but ensure Blue and White leader gets presidential mandate to form government.
In possible rift with Joint Arab List faction, Balad Chairman Jamal Zahalka cites Blue and White leader's right-wing views, willingness to enter a unity government with Likud. Joint Arab List to meet again Sunday in an effort to finalize "historic decision" over whether to recommend Gantz to the president.
Over the next few days and weeks, we can expect lots of posturing and horse-trading, but that won’t change the stubborn numbers.
No one wants a third election, but incredibly, it might be a better option for certain political figures than some of the scenarios for forming a coalition government.
The 22nd Knesset to have fewer women and only 3 members of the LGBT community. Almost all of the MKs were elected in the April election, with only eight freshmen members. Results pending certification of final vote count.
Central Elections Committee says 99% of ballots have been counted, meaning Blue and White and its allies are all but guaranteed 57 seats, compared with the right-wing bloc's 55 seats. Lieberman's Yisrael Beytenu vows not to endorse Netanyahu.
The "tie" between the Right and the Left after this week's election is nothing but wool over people's eyes, because even Blue and White leader Benny Gantz knows that Israel's next government cannot be based on the Arab parties. Also, what happened to the Israeli Right?
